Ridge Vents & Roof Ventilation for Better Efficiency
In the summertime, a well-ventilated roof allows heat to escape. During the colder months, it keeps the roof’s surface cold to prevent ice dams. Harmony Home Improvement, Connecticut’s premier general contractor, installs and repairs ridge vents and other types of roof vents. We are the local expert in roof repair and replacement.
There are different types of roof vents and different strategies for achieving effective roof ventilation. Here’s a brief overview.
Types of Roof Vents
Ridge vents: Installed along the roof peak, ridge vents are probably the most important vents in any “passive” (non-electric) roof ventilation system. Hot air that accumulates inside the attic rises by convection and escapes outside through ridge vents.
Soffit vents: Soffit vents run parallel to the eaves along the soffit. These vents work with ridge and gable vents to promote good roof ventilation.
Installed along the eaves of the roof, these vents are usually in the form of grilles that run the length of each soffit. By admitting cool outside air as warm air leaves the attic through higher vents, soffit vents play a major role in effective roof ventilation.
Gable-end vents: Installed near the peak of a gable end, this screened vent can allow hot air to leave the attic or fresh air to enter, depending on prevailing breezes and temperature conditions.
Powered attic ventilators (PAV): Sometimes referred to as attic fans, PAVs come in several forms. Some are designed to be mounted on the roof, while others mount in the attic floor or the gable end. All PAVs contain an electrically powered fan (usually controlled by a thermostat) that exhausts hot air from the attic on hot summer days.
A PAV should not be necessary if a roof has properly sized and installed ridge and soffit vents. While a PAV will definitely exhaust hot air from the attic during hot weather, it consumes electricity, and can actually suck cooled air from the living space through leaks in the attic floor. For this reason, many home energy experts recommend passive roof ventilation over active ventilation with a PAV.
Take Care of Your Roof
If your roof is not well-ventilated, ask a roofing contractor about improving roof ventilation with ridge, soffit or gable-end vents. All of these roof vents can be installed in an existing roof, or when your roofing is being replaced. The specialists at Harmony Home Improvement can help you choose the right type of roof vents for your home to help you gain a properly balanced attic ventilation system.
